The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-11-19
Thanksgiving Day.
tFot the pemoeratIc Advoeate.l


Thursday, the oath instant, has been desig-
mated by the President of the United States
by public proclamation us a day of general
thanksgiving to be observed by the people of
the United States. Gov. Beaver, of Pennsyl-
vania, has also issued his Thanksgiving pro-
clamation for day of prayer to Almighty God
for his manifold goodness to our beloved and
highly favored country. fhe propriety of
such an appointment no right minded man
will dispute. Not only has it the sanction of
time honored usage by the best and wisest of
men, but every dictate of reason and every
sentiment of religion concur in its approval.
Doubtless its observance will be general
amongst us. And a gratifying spectacle it is
to behold large portion ofthe inhabitants of
such land engaged in offering with united
hearts the tribute of their gratitude to the
Divine Benefactor. Ingratitude is a crime
abhored by all nations, civilized and savage;
let us not practice that toward our Maker
which we abhor between man and his neigh
Dor.
Reasons for thanksgiving are too numerous
and too obvious to need reciting. To an in
habitant of these United States they are in
deed smore than can be numbered" If
ever there has existed a nation on earth which
has reason of gratitude to Heaven it is surely
ours. We're It only that we enjoy the price
less boon of civil and religious freedom, and
both in degree before unknown among men,
this alone should make us a thankful people.
The raising up for us, in the day and hour of
our extremity, such men, as well in the Cab
met as in the Field, as those whose names
and memory we delight to honor; the bless
ing of their united counsels to form our free
and happy system of government; the plant
ing of this people in awide and plenteous and
almost boundless land, comprising the bless
ings of every cline; the growth and mulsipH-
cation of our settlements till they stretch from
sea to sea; the unprecedented number and
facility of our INSTRUMENTATION; the mighty
and still onward march of internal improve
ment; the diversified sources yet commingling
streams of our population; their widely spread
ing and still growing commerce, domestic and
foreign, the resistless enterprise of cur peo-
pie, their fertility of invention, their courage
in the field, their progress in art, and growing
skill in all that can embelish life; the cheap
ness of books; the widespread diffusion of
education, and the universal and proverbial
attachment off whole nation to the institu-
tons of freedom; these are blessings such as
have rarely been lavished, certainly never in
SO bounteous q measure, on any people OF
whom history preserves record.
And then the whole course of our national
story; the marvellous and triumphant success
Of our first effort for freedom, after trials the
most severe and days of dark and lowering
omen; the repeated defeats Of attack from
abroad, the no less repeated failure of design
against our unity at home; the tried strength
Of that unity whenever great pressure brings
out the true sentiment and spirit Of the coun-
try; our almost entire exemption from domes-
tic violence amidst such diversified inter-
este and so many causes for mutual oppo-
n
our social condition, while they expand
the bosom with an exultant hope for the fu.
ture, should surely cause it to glow with filial
gratitude to the bounteous and all merciful
Father of all. }. ). q.
Ns,r 0,f,ard PA